This would once have been a beautiful building. Unfortunately, after Henry VIII disbanded monastic…read morecommunities in England, Wales and Scotland in the 1500s, all that remains is the gatehouse. This functioned as a vicarage to the local church and is now in the care of English Heritage and probably dates back to the 1100s. Definetly worth the walk, or the drive.

What a truly magical place! Everyone was so cheerful and accommodating! There is a lot of space…read moreinside and out to move about, shop, and even enjoy a meal. The location is clean and open whether you are eatMing a meal, shopping for gifts or souvenirs, visiting the museum, or getting married! The quality and variety of the gift items as well as the service is 5 star! Everyone is incredibly kind and helpful! Ask for Vikki the Gretna Green Experience Manager! She is exceptional at making your experience meaningful! Leslie

The old adage says that if you've got nothing good to say, then say nothing. Therefore my review of…read morethe so-called famous old blacksmith's shop at Gretna Green is that it is obviously a great place for a sandwich and maybe a cup of coffee. That's pretty much all anybody there was doing - sitting around eating their bring-your-own sandwiches and drinking a takeaway coffee. And that's because eating a sandwich and having a coffee is pretty much all there is to see or do unless of course you want to buy any manner of English/Scottish memorabilia/food/junk that you could buy anywhere else in England/Scotland or online. For an incredulous experience, visit Gretna Green's infamous blacksmith's shop. You'll leave wondering why! Oh, apparently you can also marry or renew your wedding vows there but I think guests have to bring their own sandwiches.

Legend has it that the Abbey on Inchcolm Island in the Forth, began when King Alexander I was…read moreshipwrecked in 1123, and took shelter in a hermit's hovel. After the hermit saved his life, the King decided to build a priory on the Island. In any case it was definitely a priory by the mid 13th century when in 1235 it became an Abbey and grew from there. Inchcolm Abbey is regarded as one of the best preserved medieval monastic building complexes. It really is impressive. To get here you need to get one of two ferry services from Queensferry (make you sure you choose the option to get off at the Island and don't just pay for the cruise) which takes about thirty minutes. Once there you are free to explore the Abbey (and the rest of the island). It really is a great trip, if you're anything like me and generally like ruined piles of stone. But in all seriousness so much of it is still intact, that you really get a feel for the place. Actually it can become a bit maze like with all its stairs and many floors. One particular nerve racking part involves a steep climb up some very small winding stairs. These monks really were midgets! In fact I'm quite surprised Historic Scotland still lets visitors climb these precarious heights, but I'm glad they do. From the top of the tower you get a fantastic view of the Island and across the Forth. It also makes a great family day out, especially with the cruise to boot. Kids love to run around the Island and if its a nice day it makes a perfect picnic venue.

Just because we live in Edinburgh doesn't mean we can't enjoy the city. The folks who run the city…read morecentre (Waverley Bridge) bus tours also run a boat to Inchcolm Abbey. Go for it - an absolutely brilliant and fascinating day out. Couple of tips, buy coffee on board, if you get off at Inchcolm (do, it's amazing) either take a picnic or have a meal before or after the cruise. They only have very expensive bottled drinks and biscuits and chocolate on the island. Take your camera, wear flat shoes and comfy clothes and go for a paddle if its warm. Look out for the seals, so cute. Fantastic day out for all ages.

A recent makeover of a derelict open-cast coal mine by local land artist Charles Jencks, this is a…read morefantastic place to walk the dog or just get some exercise (and you *will* get exercise - it's a 55-acre site!). Returning to his favourite themes of science and astronomy, and using his signature spirals, lagoons and mounds, Jencks has created several set pieces representing galaxies, comets and other astronomical events. The site is bisected by a long N-S avenue of megaliths aligned to the highest point, which is a pretty steep hike up the 'comet walk' but affords stunning 360-degree views over the surrounding countryside. You will need stout footwear and strong legs to make it up here - it is not for the unfit and is definitely not suitable for wheelchair users, although I did see one resolute parent wheeling a pushchair up to the highest point. Jencks has incorporated some 2,000 megaliths, which were unexpectedly excavated on site during the works, into each artwork, making it look like some Neolithic theme park gone mad in places; but it has a delightful exuberance about it that is impossible to resist. It only opened in June 2015 and in parts it seems to still be a 'work in progress'. They could do with improving the steeper sections of path with some steps, and parts of it look like they could do with some more turf being laid. But as the artist only lives 'down the road', I can foresee that he'll be tweaking this place for some years to come.

Caerlaverock is unusual both for its triangular design and its pink limestone. Both make it quite…read morea striking sight (see photographs). The castle is technically ruined, but the two front-facing walls and most of the rest of the superstructure remain intact. There is a classic moat surrounding the building, and a narrow wooden bridge gives access to the main gate. Like Dryburgh Abbey, this property is administered by Historic Scotland, so the grounds have been landscaped and the interior courtyard paved and gravelled, with railings added in spots. It's fun to climb around inside the towers and interior buildings, which are labelled to explain their original purpose and use. Like many castles, different portions date from various eras, so the design is a bit of a jumble. The main attraction is a 17th-century residence, with servery, kitchen, and private rooms. On the opposite side is a 15th-century structure which apparently contained a great hall and other residences. The two towers bestride the main gate were used as lord's residences in the 13th and 14th centuries. One interesting bit of history: in 1300, Edward I himself, with a 3000-man army, besieged the castle. The garrison of only sixty men held out for 36 hours. When Edward learned how few his enemy had been, he was so impressed that he allowed the Maxwell family to keep the castle after swearing an oath of loyalty to him. As wonderful as the castle is, the visitor's centre boasts a "museum" which is nothing but a sad joke. Breeze through it, just enough to get the story of the castle, the Maxwells, and the various military actions over the years, and then get right out onto the grounds. There is also a "nature trail" which leads about 200m to the site of the previous castle, used for only a few decades in the mid-13th century and abandoned due to the marshy ground (Caerlaverock is very near the Solway Firth). There are picnic tables, and on a day with good weather, this would be a great site to bring the family for an afternoon.

My all time favorite castle! 'Home Sweet Home' to Clan Maxwell! All kinds of history pours from…read morethis property, we spent hours here at the castle & in the woods. Take your time climbing in the castle, there is a lovely tea room on site to rest. Absolutely precious architecture. A must see for castle hunters. #myfamilytree

Absolutely spectacular! Over 700 years old, by far the oldest building I've ever personally had the…read morepleasure to touch, or photograph, Sweetheart Abby speaks to the history lover in all of us. The drive to the Abby is picturesque, along the rolling hills and tucked away in a quaint village - the roads not changed much since the village was founded, narrow and harrowing if there's any traffic. The walls of the former monastery rise up from the verdant hills towards the sky, ruins now, but once, they would have been grand. For 4.50 you get to spend as much time as you like, roaming through the well preserved old gal, there are signs that tell you about her bones, and her history. Listen to the pigeons who roost in her eves and flutter back and forth. Occasionally some sound like Monks speaking their prayers - or perhaps that is just an echo from the past coming back to your ears. Either way, The Sweetheart Abby tells the tale of a woman, lost, who had her husband's heart embalmbed, so that when SHE died, she could be buried holding onto it. Love is eternal they say. Behind the old Church is a vast and dated graveyard. Pay attention walking amidst the stones. The ground is moist and the soil can be loose. It is said that the stones may falter. Tread lightly lest you be the next resident among the stones.

These ruins are on the way from Manchester to Scotland - not too far out of your way. They were…read morethe cover photo for my Fodors Scotland book. That was, of course, and eye-grabbing photo. You will be able to get a great set of photos too - even if you are not a pro photographer and if it's raining, as it was for us. Worth the stop.

I have a great fondness for this ram statue! Often when driving to or from Scotland we stop in…read moreMoffat for a meal and usually park near to this wonderful ram (it is surrounded by parking spaces in the middle of the main street). This statue was sculpted by William Brodie (1815-1881) and presented to the town by the local businessman William Colvin in 1875 to commemorate the town's thriving wool trade. Other notable works by Brodie which can still be seen today include his marvellous 'Hercules', a bronze statue in Portmeirion, North Wales. The Moffat Ram sits on top of the Colvin Fountain whose water was used by men and animals for drinking. There were once iron cups for men to fill from the water spouts whilst the animals drank from the filled bases the lower ones for dogs and the higher ones for horses! The ram was constructed without ears and a myth (apparently without any foundation) circulated for long afterwards that Brodie committed suicide when he realised his mistake!

A beloved of mine lives in Lockerbie. When people ask why the name of the town is familiar, I…read moreremind them of the tragedy that too place that fateful December in 1988. The town has put together a beautiful memorial to the 200+ people, passengers, crew and townsfolk who lost their lives when hate and greed took over. It is nestled at the back of a very old and peaceful grave yard where beautiful headstones tower and mark the passage of the years. Lonely breezes blow thru the markers and whisper to the ears of the dead... They are not forgotten.

Just a mile outside Lockerbie lies a memorial called the Garden of Remembrance dedicated to the 270…read morevictims of the Pan Am Flight 103 terrorist bombing of 21 Dec 1988. This memorial is, to me, Scotland's own version of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. There are two powerful emotions that sweep over me every time I stop here to reflect. Walking from the auto park to the memorial site, I'm filled with sorrow when I see the names and faces of so many innocent victims that were blown out of the skies over this small, peaceful hamlet. All these mostly-young people, the students, soldiers, tourists and travelers all on their way home to celebrate Christmas with family, to die when so near to home. And the local townspeople killed on the ground from falling debris... Then the anger rises in me. The hatred for the individuals who would kill innocents in the name of their God, their cause, infuriates me and I shake. How I'd love to rub their faces in this soil... Yet people will forget over time. It's human nature. Day-to-day issues become more critical than recalling the memory of these innocents. But as long as this memorial exists, we will never forget. Nor should we ever. These lives, so easily snuffed out, will continue to remind us of the frailties within the human species, that no truth is any more valuable than any other truth and any crime against one is a crime against humanity.

Seclusion is needed by the soul more than you think folks. Peace and quiet for a few hours to…read morecollate your thoughts is priceless. Hence forth I present to you a place where Wordsworth 'wondered lonely as a cloud' The best things in life are indeed free(ok,ok, not entirely free: you do have to pay and display in the car park) On a leisurely drive with some friends through the lakes one fine Sunday afternoon we discovered(completely by fluke incidentally) this little gem of a place. Aira Force is a water fall which drops an impressive 65 feet and is surrounded by woodland. The drill here is simple, and simplicity at times can be bliss. You park your car you grab something from the cafe or stock up your picnic rucksack of goodies and off you go. A hike up through the woods will take you back to your childhood state of mind. Either you'll be climbing the steep paths through the woodland wrestling with the firs, pines, spruces and cedars like Indiana Jones(moi), or gingerly moving along with a camcorder wide eyed as if you were filming a prequel to Blair Witch project. (fainthearted friend) None the less the fruits of your labour will eventually emerge in the shape of Aira Force waterfall. Now I am and always will be a massive fan of waterfalls. There is something extremely therapeutic about the sound of the water, it floats me, freshens me up. This particular waterfall is one of the most famous in the Lake district. When we visited there was hardly anyone there. The water was so fresh and clean, I could easily have just bathe under it and would have done had it not been for a slight chill in the air and two rather strange German tourists. By strange, I mean scary horror film strange, tailing us all the way upto the falls! Perhaps it was just the fear mongering camcorder blair witch friend... Once you've taken plenty of post card worthy pictures and enjoyed the scenery, on the way back there are plenty of amazing and potentially romantic picnic spots. Plenty of daffodils around also if it's the right time of year. I loved them and I loved my visit and so will you. Who knows they might even inspire you into poetic action as it did Mr. Wordsworth. For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils.

A beautiful National Trust site with walking paths through the woods and alongside a fast flowing…read moreriver. Main parking at the bottom of the hill close to the lake. There's toilets, a cafe and a small shop plus lots of picnic space. Beyond the two viewpoint bridges are beautiful rock pools perfect for paddling.